Flint Andrew Staton, charged with a long list of crimes, is in prison on $1 million bail.

February 08, 2013|By Patrick Lester, Of The Morning Call

A 30-year-old Montgomery County man stalked his estranged wife while wearing body armor in a vehicle stocked with knives, a gun, brass knuckles, wigs and a mask, duct tape and a Valentine's Day card with drawings depicting violence, Emmaus police said.

Flint Andrew Staton, whose last known address is 221 Fulmer Road, Perkiomenville, was taken into custody on an arrest warrant shortly after an Emmaus police officer watched him trail Anne Staton on her way to work Monday morning, according to court records.

After pulling him over, officers discovered that he was wearing illegal body armor under his clothing and had with him a mask, three large knives and a stun gun, according to a complaint.

While searching Staton's sedan later in the week, police found a .40 caliber handgun, 10 rounds of ammunition and brass knuckles, court papers say.

In addition, they discovered a Valentine's Day card titled, "A Promise For My Wife," along with 39 pieces of paper they say depicted various forms of violence and killing, according to court papers.

Investigators inventoried a long list of other items in the vehicle, including a Kevlar military helmet, a handgun shoulder harness, two wigs, binoculars, duct tape, gloves and a large machete.

Staton is being held in Lehigh County Prison under $1 million bail after his arraignment Thursday night.

"This incident characterizes good law enforcement tactics, sound investigative measures and proactive policing at its best," said Emmaus Police Chief David Faust, who added that federal authorities are involved in the investigation.

Sgt. Timothy Hoats, who is investigating the case, said Staton, who has not been cooperative with investigators, gave no indication of what he planned to do with the items in his car.

"I don't know what his plans were, but based on the totality of the circumstances, this wasn't a casual following," he said.

Hoats said Anne Staton had been concerned for her safety for months. She filed complaints with police in Whitehall Township and Bethlehem Township based on the belief that she had been followed. One complaint was filed in November.

Police said there are two restraining orders against Staton in Montgomery County that prohibit him from having guns. They say that on three occasions over a one-year period, Staton violated a protection from abuse order lodged against him.

The gun Staton had is registered to his wife, from whom he has been separated for about a year, Hoats aid. He said weapons were confiscated from Staton's home after a Montgomery County judge approved a restraining order. The gun found this week apparently wasn't in Staton's home when the other weapons were seized by authorities.

Emmaus police issued a warrant for Staton's arrest after Anne Staton contacted them Jan. 31 saying that she believed her estranged husband had been following her to work, violating a protection from abuse order.

Shortly after 5 a.m. Monday, Sgt. Hoats was in Anne Staton's neighborhood as she left for work. As Anne Staton began driving to work, Hoats saw a vehicle driven by a man who fit the description of Flint Staton.

Hoats pulled over the vehicle on Main Street, identified the driver as Flint Staton and arrested him.

Police said Staton sent numerous text messages and emails to his wife between midnight and 5 a.m. on the day of his arrest.

Staton was charged with illegal possession of a gun and illegal body armor, two counts of stalking and three counts of harassment.